The lane rental scheme will come into effect across County Durham from Monday
A scheme aimed at reducing traffic congestion by charging firms thousands of pounds for causing disruption will come into force next week.
The lane rental scheme will come into effect across County Durham on Monday, making it the first local authority in the North East and the first county authority outside of the London area to do so.
The scheme will allow Durham County Council to charge organisations for works carried out on the county's busiest routes and at times when they are most likely to cause disruption.
Tim McGuinness, cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said the scheme would "encourage better planning and coordination".
The Reform UK-led authority applied to the Department for Transport in September following a public consultation, and said it would roll out the charges on roads including New Elvet and the Thinford Roundabout.
"The scheme will help us keep roads open during the busiest periods while still allowing for important infrastructure works to be carried out," McGuiness said.
"It will encourage better planning and coordination between organisations, ensuring traffic continues to move across the county efficiently."
Under the scheme, charges of up to £2,500 per day may apply on traffic-sensitive roads or during specified peak periods.
The council hopes the charges will encourage organisations carrying out roadworks to plan them outside of peak travel times, complete them over a shorter period and adopt less disruptive methods.
McGuinness said: "Any profits from the scheme will also allow us to reinvest in our highways, with funding used towards road maintenance, traffic improvement projects, and innovative technologies to enhance how we care for the county's network."
The council said that the scheme has been developed using "detailed analysis" of traffic patterns and congestion hotspots, and it hoped it would reduce delays for residents, visitors and public transport services.
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Plans to charge firms for disruptive roadworks
Firms face charges for peak-time roadworks
Firms to be charged for works on busiest roads
Durham County Council
Department for Transport
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